I'm New at Emmanuel

We’re so glad you’ve decided to visit and learn more about us. There’s a lot here to discover about who we are and what we do. We’d also love for you to visit our Sunday service and learn about the amazing good news of God's grace. Emmanuel strives to be a place where everyone will feel welcomed and safe. So come as you are! If there’s anything we can do you for you, please let us know.

Where should I park?

Parking is available in the garage at GMU's Van Metre Hall. The entrance is in the alley from either N Kirkwood Rd or Washington Blvd. Pull a ticket when you enter the garage. Park on B2 and take the elevator to the first floor. Prepaid parking passes will be available after the service at the Info Table. When you exit, you will insert parking ticket into the Pay in Lane (pay at exit gate) machine. The parking fee will display. Insert your prepaid pass.

Parking is also available on the upper deck at GMU's Truland building--the corner of Washington Blvd and N Kirkwood Rd. The entrance to the uncovered deck is off N Kirkwood Rd. You can walk to the rear of Van Metre Hall and enter via the G2 parking garage and take the elevator to the first floor, or enter the side door (Kirkwood St) of Hazel Hall (the GMU law school) and proceed to the Ground floor and walk through to Van Metre Hall.

Street parking is free on Sundays in Arlington. Since GMU is metro accessible, we also encourage people to take the orange line to the Virginia Square metro station.

There is a Federal Parking garage off Washington Blvd. You can park in the "retail parking" spots for $4 for up to two hours or $6 for three hours. (From the P1 level, you can use the outdoor walkway to the GMU original building.)

If you like to bicycle, there is a Capital Bikeshare station, as well as bicycle parking right at the entrance of GMU Van Metre Hall.

What do you have for children?

During the service at 10:30am, we offer nursery for children 0-24 months and Children’s Church for the older elementary aged children. Older children begin the service with their parents. Prior to the sermon, parents are given the option whether to have their children remain with them or participate in Children’s Church. On the 4th and 5th Sundays, they stay in worship so they can begin to learn to participate in the entire service. Learn more about nursery and classes for children and youth at Emmanuel's Children's Ministries.

What are the demographics of your church?

We have been praying for a diverse group of people, as we believe a healthy church reflects the community around it and draws from a variety of gifts and talents. And God has been answering our prayers. Our core group includes singles, young couples, families and children of all ages. Several nationalities are represented at Emmanuel, and we pray for increasing diversity.

Our services draw from the rich history of hymns, songs, prayers and confessions the Church has created over the centuries--including the present one. Yet "traditional" probably won't be the word you use to describe our services. Or worse, "stuffy" or "slick". We aim for an acoustic feel, a little folk, a little jazz. Weekly communion is an important element of the service, a visible reminder and experience of God’s grace. But the most important consideration is that every element of the service is Christ-centered, so that all of us can experience the presence of God.

What about the preaching style?

Nobody likes to be yelled at or brow-beaten, so you won't get that. You also won't hear a lot of rules and regulations. All of that conveys we relate to God based on our performance. We don't. That's the anti-gospel. Instead, everything depends on God's graciousness on our behalf, in everything. Getting hold of that, though, has enormous implications for our life and relationships. So mostly, that's what you'll hear about: how God and what he has done for us is greater than we've ever dared imagine, and how that changes everything.

Please feel free to wear whatever you like. We've seen the range from shorts to suits--but if it helps, most people wear what could be called "dressy casual." Since the point isn't what you're wearing, but who you're worshipping, there's no dress code.

There are many wonderful churches in metro Washington DC area. If our congregation is not the most convenient time or location, please refer to this list of sister Presbyterian Church in America congregations that may be closer to you. Emmanuel Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a denomination committed to the historic truths of Scripture and the relevance of the gospel in everyday life.